Do you want to get experience working with children and young people? Are you interested in teaching?

If you answered yes to any of the above questions, then our School Placement Programme is perfect for you.

We work with around 20 schools in Coventry to provide our students with valuable work experience, and support Partner Schools with activity to diversify their pupil's learning. There are a variety of opportunities you can get involved with, including:


Student Tutoring

As a Student Tutor you will be supporting teachers in your chosen subject (maths, English, science, media etc). You will not be expected to teach the whole class (unless you want to), instead you will be supporting small groups.

International Language Support

We are looking for students fluent in or a native speaker of languages other than English, to assist pupils with their English.

Right to Read

As a Right to Read volunteer, you will read one-to-one with children with below average reading abilities to improve their confidence and enjoyment. You are usually assigned 3–4 children to 'read' with, and your school provides the book and some activities, but as you get to know your pupil we recommend creating your own materials.

Extra-Curricular Clubs

This opportunity allows you to share your hobby or interest with school pupils over lunch or in an after-school club. Previous activity has included chess, science and craft clubs. Our team can help you develop your idea further if needed.


Our process

DBS checks

Before we can arrange a placement you must have an Enhanced with Barred List DBS check which is a legal requirement in the UK for anyone working with children.

Training

Whilst we are waiting for your DBS check you will be given basic training to prepare you for your placement. This training will cover placement expectations, managing behaviour, classroom conduct and an overview of safeguarding practices.


School Induction

The first time you attend your school with be for an induction. It should include:

  • An introduction to teaching staff they will be working with
  • A tour of the school
  • Guidance on your placement role, including dress code, mobile phone use and school expectations
  • Essential school policies; health and safety, child protection and safeguarding procedures
  • Access to resources to support the experience they will be having in the classroom

Still interested?

If you want to find out more, have any question and register your interest, email us, so we can let you know about our current opportunities as these are always changing.

Our school placement opportunities are a fantastic way for our students to gain experience, whilst your school benefits from their subject experience, international languages or passion to learn.

Would you like to benefit from student support whilst providing students with valuable school’s experience?

The classroom experience gained by students wishing to pursue a career in teaching is invaluable, it also offers students the opportunity who are keen to share their passions for certain subjects the chance to inspire or encourage pupils across Coventry.

Schools that accept students should ensure that they receive adequate supervision on school premises. Students have requested to support teachers in the classroom and should remain under the supervision of a teacher at all times and should not conduct lessons themselves.

Please note: our student volunteers are NOT trainee teachers.


What We Offer

We offer a variety of programmes to support your schools, these include:

Student Tutoring

This opportunity places students in a classroom environment supporting teachers in a subject of their choice (maths, English, media etc).

International Language Support

Our International Language Support programme involves our students, fluent in or a native speaker in a language other than English, to assist pupils in your school with a lower level of English. 

Right to Read

Right to Read is a programme designed for 1-hour sessions over 8-10 weeks with a pupil who requires assistance, enabling them to build their confidence and reading abilities. This opportunity pairs a student with a pupil to improve their literacy through adapting activities and games to increase involvement thorough fun activities.

Extra-Curricular Clubs

Would you like some of our students to help you in setting up before and after school clubs for your learners? This programme is dependent on the interests and expertise of our diverse student community, previously successful clubs have included creative writing, mixed sports, arts and crafts. 

Code Club

In collaboration Code Club this is the opportunity for 9-13 year olds to engage and develop new skills learning computer code. Our students are trained by the Code Club team before supporting your school pupils to learn code through designing and making their own games, animations and websites.

Sports and Special Interests

We have many sports students who would like the chance to assist with specific related activities to encourage and motivate pupils in after-school activity.

School Inspired Projects

We are keen to work with our school partners to design and support projects that really meet their needs. Previous school inspired projects have included: Science Days, Harry Potter Week and Sports Days.


How to join?

It would be great to have your school or college join our scheme, as we always have students wanting to get school experience. Firstly, read the 'Information for Schools' document below to get a better idea of the programme and how it works. Once you have decided to go for it, email us with all your requirements, so we can start arranging everything and start looking for suitable students for you.

Before the placement

Students will be given basic training before their placement, including teaching methods and theory, placement expectations and behaviour, classroom conduct and an overview of safeguarding practices.

All of our students will have an Enhanced with Barred Lists DBS check before commencing their placement. When the participants visit your school for the first time, they will bring their DBS certificate with them along with a DBS confirmation letter. This letter needs to be signed by a member of staff and for the student to give to us for our records.

School Induction

Whilst our students will have received some training before starting their placement, they will also require you to complete a School Induction to ensure the Student Volunteer understands expectations and key policies of your school. It should include:

  • An introduction to relevant teaching staff they will be working with
  • A tour of the school (at least the department the students are working in)
  • Guidance on their role whilst on their placement, including dress code, mobile phone use and school expectations
  • Essential school policies; health and safety, child protection and safeguarding procedures
  • Access to resources to support the experience they will be having in the classroom

If you have any questions about any aspect of the Schools Programme, please contact employability.su@coventry.ac.uk

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